The Spooky Chronicles: The Crooked Man

Moments after a child on his death bed passes away, he is visited by a mysterious "crooked man" who sends him back to the land of the living. Upon returning, the young boy realizes that his mother was taken in his place, but that's only the beginning of the Crooked Man's sinister plan.

The Spooky Chronicles is a book series about a child who comes back to life as a zombie but is still getting older. Having already overcome personal tragedy in his life, his unique condition makes him aware of (and draws him into) a secret, paranormal underworld he never asked to be a part of (but still thinks is pretty cool).