The present study examined the roles played by reading motivation and reading activity as mediators of the effect of family socioeconomic status on reading achievement. A sample of 468 7 th~9 th graders from three schools in eastern China participated in the study and completed the questionnaires. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the mediation model. The results implied a positive correlation between family socioeconomic status, reading motivation, reading activity, and reading achievement. In addition, family socioeconomic status had no significant direct effect on reading achievement; however, it indirectly predicted reading achievement through the chain mediating effects of reading motivation and reading activity.