The students can create a scrap book involving some of the main ideas from the novel. It can include replications of items in the story such as the news ad placed by Jacob, dried wild flowers and an explanation for their relevance, and letters between the characters. You could also incorporate a collage based on ideas and pictures of characters and their experiences in the story by creating a page for each of the main characters.
This is a great way to incorporate technology into a Language Arts class. The students can create a PowerPoint presentation with slides that include pictures, descriptions of the characters, setting, and plot progression. This can also be completed on a poster if the technology is not readily available. For older grade levels, it's a good idea to begin incorporating textual evidence as a part of the slides to support the students' ideas and opinions.
This idea combines a writing task with a presentational task. In pairs or groups, the students can choose a scene from the book and write a script for it. The script writing is a good way to reinforce the sequence of events in terms of having a beginning, middle and end. They will be using the script for a performance of the scene. They should also plan how to set up their "stage" and what costumes or props may be needed. Classroom time to rehearse is also helpful.
Each student should choose a character from the book, and as they read, write a journal as if they were those characters. This journal should parallel the events in the book and give the student a way to express how she thinks the character would feel about her circumstances. Then, on the due date, she can come to school dressed as her character and share one of the journal entries with the class.